I wish to clarify my position on the possible new per pupil tax and the school district paying part of their employees’ YMCA memberships.
Based up on a cordial conversation between myself and Ms. Schwarz from the ISD 166, I am now aware that the law the state legislature passed will not allow ISD 166 to pass the new per pupil tax. Whew! Hurray for the Cook County taxpayer.
Regarding the second issue I brought up concerning the ISD 166 paying part of their employees’ gym membership dues, it seems that policy has been in place many years. It appears that it is one of those budget items that is not large and has been around so long that it just routinely gets approved without much examination. I submit that because of all the strong community controversy surrounding the new YMCA, this is a budget item that needs reexamining.
It seems a bit unfair that a government department favors one group of people over another by paying part of a YMCA membership with tax dollars paid by the taxpayer who will still be asked to pay the full price of YMCA membership as well as the favored group’s salary with their taxes.
Furthermore the YMCA is supposed to offer far more benefit than just being a fitness gym, thus tax dollars will be used to favor one group over another well beyond the scope of physical fitness.
George Gradek
Maple Hill
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